Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)

A Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) is a person who has lived experience of recovery with mental health challenges who is trained to support people with mental health challenges.

What is an MHPS?

The work an MHPS does is called Peer Support. They provide support in a non-clinical way by sharing their recovery story with others and providing a safe space for people to share their own stories and struggles. MHPS peer specialists provide emotional support, educate people about community resources, assist with building skills and achieving personal recovery goals.

The Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) certification is a credential provided through the Texas Certification Board (TCB) that standardizes the qualifications of those with lived experience who have been successful in the recovery process of overcoming mental health challenges, and are working to support individuals within the field of mental health and/or co-occurring disorders.

Peer Specialists provide support by honoring:

  • Self-identification
  • Self-determination
  • Recovery-focused support without clinical language or diagnoses

Your Questions Answered

Learn more about becoming a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS)

In general, Peer Support Specialists support people with mental health and/or substance use disorders in their recovery journeys. This support can be provided one-on-one or in groups. Peer Specialists use their own lived experience to empower others and show them that recovery is possible in a nonjudgemental way, focusing on individual strengths and the power of choice.

Peer Specialists offer hope of recovery to those they serve by ensuring the support they provide is recovery-oriented, person-centered and trauma-informed. In  developing a respectful, collaborative relationship with others, Peer Specialists help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process.

Peer Support Specialists work in a variety of settings, such as:

  • Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs)
  • Peer-run organizations
  • Consumer Operated Service Providers (COSPs)
  • Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs)
  • Hospitals
  • Shelters
  • Criminal justice settings and courts

MHPS Peer Specialists engage in a wide range of activities in their role:

  • Advocating for people in their recovery journey
  • Sharing resources and building skills
  • Building community and relationships
  • Leading recovery groups
  • Mentoring
  • Goal-setting and recovery planning

If you desire to become a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) in the state of Texas, you must meet the following criteria:

  • be at least 18 years of age
  • have lived experience with a mental health condition, substance use issue, or both
  • have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • be willing to appropriately share your own recovery story with others
  • be able to demonstrate current self-directed recovery, and
  • pass criminal history and registry checks

Peer support activities aligned with Texas Provision Standards (e.g., recovery/wellness support, mentoring, advocacy). Role duties vary by organization.

A Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS) must supervise MHPS work experience hours. 

MHPS peer specialists must provide proof of 20 hours of CE (including 3 hours of ethics) every 2 years when submitting their recertification application to TCB. 

No—MHPS certification renewal also requires an application, ethics attestation, and a current background check per TCB instructions. 

Steps to become an MHPS

Complete an online self-assessment and orientation

Online self-assessment and orientation found in the HHSC website. Fill out, save, and print the attestation that you completed the self-assessment and orientation.

Apply for and complete trainings

  • 3-day (19.5 hour) in-person or virtual Core training workshop with a certified training entity. You can find certified training entities with the Texas Certification Board.

  • 40-46 hour in-person or virtual supplemental training for Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS).
Apply for certification

Apply for certification with the Texas Certification Board for your 6-month initial certification.

Complete 250 hours of supervised work experience
Submit your application

Submit your application for the next phase of your certification through the Texas Certification Board

Receive first 2-year certification

After completing training, 250 supervised work experience hours, and submitting all required documentation through Certemy, applicants receive their official Mental Health Peer Specialist certification. Certification must be renewed every two years and requires a recertification application with Texas Certification Board.